Safety During an Incident
- The time of the incident is not the time to reason with the offender. You cannot make sense out of a senseless situation. Now is not the time to reason or rationalize. If at all possible, leave and/or get to a safe place.
- If an incident is unavoidable, try to have it in a room or area with an exit and not in the bathroom, kitchen, garage, or anywhere near weapons.
- Practice how to get out of your home safely. Identify which doors, windows, elevators,s or stairs would be best.
- Identify one or more neighbors you can tell about the violence and ask that they call the police if they hear a disturbance coming from your home.
- If the situation is very dangerous, use your own instincts and judgments to keep yourself safe. Consider giving the abuser what they want to calm them down to protect yourself until you are out of danger.
- Dial 911 as soon as it is safe to do so.
- Seek medical treatment if injured by the abuser. Make sure medical personnel or law enforcement personnel photograph all injuries.